“Ulterior Motives” is part of the Mages Guild Questline. You will be sent to Skingrad under the pretext of getting a book. The truth is much more than that.

Walkthrough

Talk to Raminus Polus

Approach and talk with Raminus Polus. He will mention that he has a new task for you. Talk with him about “Task” to get started. He explains that the Council needs a book that Janus Hassildor, the Count of Skingrad has on loan from them. You can ask about “Janus Hassildor” to learn a little more about him.

Talk to Mercator Hosidus

Travel out to Castle Skingrad to get started with the next step of this quest. You will need to talk with Mercator Hosidus. He is clear the Count has no interest in meeting with you. The best he can offer is to meet with him again tomorrow to see if he could sway the Count.

Leave the Castle and pass 24 hours.

Go back into the castle and talk with Mercator Hosidus once again. He’ll share that the Count has agreed to meet with you. The catch is that it’s at 2 am, just South of the Cursed Mine outside of Skingrad.

Meet the Count

Follow the directions you are given, follow the road West out of Skingrad to pass through the High Pasture. The entrance is just North of the Road. It’s easy to find the meeting place.

Once you arrive there, you just wait until 2 am.

Survive the Ambush

Getting to the location (or waiting there until 2 am) will have a group lead by Mercator Hosidus approaching you. He has 2 Necromancers in tow with him. He makes it clear that he arranged this ambush and the Count doesn’t know you’re here. After the conversation, immediately attack him. He's about to do just that.

But the good news is the Count was actually there. He joins the fight.

Talk to Janus Hassildor

After the fight, and chiding for falling into this trap, he does thank you for exposing the necromancers in his ranks. There were concerns about him falling in the Necromancers. But he hasn’t and Janus asks you to tell the Council as much.

Report to the Guild

Make your way back to the Arcane University in the Imperial City. Report back to Raminus Polis. Talk to him about “Janus Hassildor.”

You’ll learn more about the situation and tension around Skingrad and the relationship between the Count and the Mages Guild.

Advancement

Continue to talk with Raminus Polus. This time talk to him about “Advancement.” He’ll thank you for completing "Ulterior Motives" with advancement to Evoker Rank.

Video Walkthrough